Judge threatens arrest over cement mixer

DAVAO CITY—A contractor in Agusan del Norte province said he was forced to hand over a concrete mixer, which had been sold to him in March, to a judge, also in Agusan del Norte, after he was threatened with arrest.

Engineer Hospicio Ebarle said Judge Dennis Castilla, of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Butuan City, had accused him of stealing the mixer, which Ebarle denied. He said he had purchased the equipment.

Castilla could not be reached for comment.

Ebarle’s troubles started on April 10 when Castilla sought help from the Buenavista town police office against Ebarle, accusing the contractor of stealing a concrete mixer that the judge claimed to be his.

Ebarle denied wrongdoing and presented a witness in his purchase of the mixer, a certain Leo Casinillo. It was Casinillo who told police that Ebarle purchased the mixer from his son, Leonardo, for an unspecified amount.

Ebarle also presented a purchase receipt from Steamflow Trading and General Services, a company based in Cagayan de Oro City, for the mixer, with engine No. G200-C1114144, to support his claim that he had bought it in good faith. The receipt did not indicate the name of the buyer.

Castilla, however, insisted on the ownership of the mixer and said he had entrusted it to a local contractor, a certain Jun Racaza.

Castilla told police that Racaza had bought the mixer, along with other pieces of construction equipment and materials, with his money.

Ebarle said he agreed to turn over the mixer to Castilla after the judge threatened him with arrest. Inquirer Mindanao